Fun Friday

We spent the morning at a fun little birthday party (popsicles in the park!), playing with friends and dominating the playground.

On the walk home, we decided to stop in and try a new neighborhood restaurant. The entire menu is chicken...right up Mr. C's alley at the moment. I think I read that nutritionists generally recommend following morning popsicles with chicken.

We heartily recommend the tots.

Nashville at Work

Mr. C has been doing one daily nap more and more lately (down from two), but also waking up at 6am. Are these things related? I don't know. 

What it means for me is that (in addition to starting the day bright and early), I have to fill the morning with amazing and wondrous things in an effort to push back the one nap--my reasoning being that one nap is fine, but not if it comes at 9am. Bedtime would have to be at like 4. So no. 

This is quite a change from our schedule up until now, where the time between wakeup and First Nap was relatively short (read: stay at home, usually in jammies, play, and do the real stuff later in the day). I do not have a lot of tricks up my sleeve, so we're figuring it out together. Let me just say thank the Lord and baby Jesus that it is nice outside now.

Yesterday, he already hated all his toys and breakfast and stupid mom by 7am, so I decided we'd put on clothes really quickly, pop in the stroller, and head out into the neighborhood. I didn't really have a plan (or great supplies), but it was necessary. 

Good morning, machines.

Don't worry, we'll come visit 398 more times today.

Don't I know it.

We had the park all to ourselves. So quiet. 

For a minute.

Hm. What lands shall I take today?

Onward!

My shadow's coming too! He's great!

Then I remembered that GA had moved back to the 'hood, so I texted her that we were at the park. They joined us, and we walked up to check out the new food truck [White's Mercantile almost always has a food truck out front now, but this was my first weekday-morning neighborhood walk AND the bagel truck's first day in the 'hood]. BA and I had just been lamenting the fact that the one thing the neighborhood really lacks is a good breakfast option, so I hope they are here regularly.

We enjoyed our bagels, played some more, and headed home. Along the way we lost a shoe and waved hello to Eddie George, who was out for a jog. He's still enormous, if you're keeping score at home. 

I was sure this was a recipe for a long nap, but C decided about an hour and 20 minutes was sufficient. 

Work continues. 

Happy Accident

I was coming from a meeting to pick up Mr. C from school yesterday, so taking a different route than I usually do. I was not paying attention (par for the course) and missed a turn. I wasn't late (but was overly cautious about pulling a bold U-turn maneuver as I may or may not have gotten a ticket in the same neighborhood last week), so just decided to take a more circuitous route to get there. 

The long way around took me by the Belle Meade Plantation, and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a horse or two up by a fence on the side. 

I decided I'd pick up the little man and we'd loop back around to see if I was right, then visit them for a bit.

We pulled in and I didn't see them at first, but as we rounded the bend, we spotted them (further from the fence than before, but oh well).

We spent a lovely moment observing them with some French tourists (one of whom sang C a lovely children's song in French and then I'm pretty sure he wanted to go with her forever).

Pretty ponies on a pretty day. We'll go again on another school day and see if they're regulars. 

Holy Week?

Mr. C's school was closed all last week, so I was a full-time mom for the first time since the bitty baby days. He also decided it was a good time to work on growing some new teeth. After some nice spring weather, we had a cold snap for a few days, too, so my "list of things we can go do!" was partly useless. I'll just say...yikes. And leave it at that. 

But here's what we did...

(some repeats from Instagram; sorry)

Lots of this. Lots.

Super cool breakfast

(note: these sunglasses are now broken. RIP. Janie & Jack, you failed me. And he may have eaten the screw that came out--who knows.)

A trip to Phillip's Toy Mart to see the bunnies!

While the ol' Toy Mart looks pretty different than it did when I was a kid, it was a fun thing to return to. A sign said this was the 25th year of bunnies. I didn't know if he would be interested in them, but he loved it! When we tired of the bunnies, we played with the train tables, lava lamps, and all the other fun things. He didn't really realize we could buy the toys, so it's like an indoor play place. We'll be back.

The Bunny Master does a different theme every year.

Obviously a nod to Pinewood Derby here, but perhaps also a reference to our cool new bar-restaurant-bowling-alley-everything, Pinewood Social? #itcity

Aaaaand the teething. He's been sleeping ok, but waking up very unhappy. One day he woke up from nap, but wasn't ready to get up yet. Nothing would suit. So, yes, this is me in the crib (I checked the weight limit; we're cool) for some snuggles.

On Saturday, we went to a fun egg "hunt" with the fearsome foursome (though now baby Nancy makes 5!)...I was going to include that in our (un)holy week, but I've decided to post it separately as there are a TON of photos. It was like everyone got some secret whisper memo to bring the Real Cameras...Dropbox has been involved...stay tuned. 

Deep Freeze

Yes, the Polar Vortex invaded TN, too. I realize it wasn't as cold as some other parts of the country (and BA was in Chicago, which I can't even comprehend). But any time the real temps are down near zero, that's pretty cold no matter who you are or where you're from. 

Five.

Silo

Longstanding family tradition dictates that the birthday boy or girl gets a dinner of his or her choosing on the big day. Yesterday was BA's birthday, and (after a few failed attempts at other places) we found ourselves at Silo to celebrate.

I'm obviously not a food blogger, and don't chronicle every place we go, but I was so pleasantly surprised by our experience that I felt like I should share.

The lowdown: Silo is a relatively-but-not-brand-new restaurant in Germantown, which is an area that I'd probably describe as one step past "up and coming." It's far from completely developed, but is no longer a secret adventure or undiscovered. Silo has that locavore, farm-to-table "elevated Southern" cuisine thing going on. While that's no longer a groundbreaking culinary idea, it's still delicious.

The cocktail menu was very fun--Sara had a strawberry rickey that is probably exactly what our 7-year-old selves would have invented to drink while playing My Little Ponies. If kids drank cocktails, that is. Most notably, BA was very impressed with the (extensive) bourbon list. Around here, you expect places to go beyond the basics, but this went even beyond that second ring of names you'd drop if you knew slightly more than the basics. He remarked that the list was curated by someone who definitely knew what they were doing, which is an assessment I trust. As an aside, I was also charmed by the way the water carafes on the tables were actually re-purposed Bulleit Bourbon bottles with the label removed.

I'm not going to run through everyone's meal, because ain't nobody got time for that, but I will just say that my sisters and I all got the burger and it might be my new fave burger in town. The addition of Benton's bacon elevated it perfectly, but wasn't heavy handed (that's really thick bacon; rookies don't realize you can't just slap it on everything all overzealous like). We also shared a side or two of the mac n' cheese...check it out.

We had brought a birthday cake, so we didn't sample their desserts, but every single one looked extremely enticing. Guess we'll just have to go back.

Overall, I would just say two thumbs up to them. I guess I had expected it to be kind of self-important and intimidating because it's sort of hip and has gotten good buzz, but that wasn't the case. Our server was so, so nice. And so was the manager, and the hostess, and really everyone. Like, to the point that we noticed and remarked on what genuine and attentive service it was--which is certainly not always the case. We also left the staff the rest of the birthday cake (I did NOT need to bring that thing home), so maybe it also buys us some good karma in the future.

I did not take any pictures other than this one of a baby on a table, so here you go.

Happy birthday, daddy!

Brunch @ Blvd

This is not the post you're looking for. But I had a couple lined up, so I wanted to get them posted before the new arrival. Otherwise, I strongly suspect they'd never happen.

BA cleared his calendar last Sunday before the game, so we were looking for something fun to do. Within my limits. Which pretty much just means eating. A new restaurant just opened down the street from us, so we thought we'd check it out for brunch. It was their first brunch, but everything went smoothly and was fabulous. It wasn't crowded, though it might be in a few weeks when people get hip to it. 

{ blvd } 

nashville

The restaurant (formerly Cha Chah) was rehabbed and reopened by the same owner, Arnold Myint (of Top Chef..."fame"? "appearance"?) A lot of it feels really similar in that they kept the same basic layout, but the vibe is pretty different. Notably, they have a pretty large market-type area in the front that had interesting snacks to grab, assorted jams and such, and--a very good idea given the proximity to Belmont--a grab-n'-go section with wraps and salads. I was also intrigued by the large display of macarons at the host's check-in table. I must go back to investigate. 

Seriously. And this doesn't even include the fun cocktail side of the menu. Let me just say: mimosas by the carafe.

We started with a breakfast appetizer--an excellent concept--from the a la carte menu. The croissant came with a whipped vanilla butter and apricot jam. Magnifique. 

I went for the waffle. The bacon is chopped and is in the topping with the cinnamon apples (slow clap).

BA's huevos rancheros.

Bottom line: We recommend and will definitely be back. I hope they do well, but I also hope it doesn't get so buzzed-about that it's really crowded. We went at about 12:30 and it was nice to just be able to walk in and sit down, as well as hang around for a bit after the meal. When we go out to eat in the neighborhood, we usually mosey down to the 12th Ave side, rather than the Belmont side. However, this will be a very strong draw. I definitely foresee strolling bebe down that way for Sunday Funday 1/2-price bottles of wine. Just sayin'.

So check it out. 

Is That OK?

So we were at Taste of Nashville last night (a fabulous event; props to the organizers and participants. If you couldn't make it, get it on your calendar for next year). Other than my ill-advised decision to wear high-heeled boots, this party was basically a pregnant girl's dream: you walk around lots of booths and eat tasty morsels from local restaurants/food purveyors. A city-wide all-you-can-eat buffet, if you will. I had a serious plan for this. No haphazard, slapdash mosey-and-eat. No. We did a loop, scoping out the options. I then made a plan of attack for real food, intermission (bathroom break), then dessert foods. I couldn't take advantage of the open bar, so had to get my BA's money's worth on the food before it got all picked over or cold.

It's early in the real-food portion of the plan. I hit up a table that is manned by two ladies (can I say something is "manned by ladies??"). The name of the restaurant shall be withheld because of manners or something, but...I really wish I could tell you. It's an older lady and a younger lady, who apparently was also pregnant but I did not notice this at first because she was wearing one of those black chef's jacket/shirts and I am self-centered and really it was pretty boxy.

like this.

I will say at the outset that she was working and I was at a party, so she gets some Grace Points back in her corner.

Me: [takes cup of food that I cannot identify to you as it would ruin secrecy]. This looks good! Thank you.

Younger Lady: Oh, how far along are you?

Me: About six months (gracious smile).

YL: Funny, me too! But you're much bigger than I am.

Me: <blink blink blink>

I asked her what she was having and she said a girl (thank GOD because it allowed me to mumble something about "well, this one's a boy so maybe he's bigger..."). I'm pretty sure I also gave her my congratulations but I honestly cannot remember.

I suppose I had braced myself for bumbling and/or backhanded comments from people without babies, or people who were once pregnant but have forgotten, but this was straight preg-on-preg violence.

SO...what say you, loyal legion? Is that ok? Am I overly sensitive? Does she get a pass for also having pregnant brain? Help a sister out.

P.S. then I ate Jeni's ice cream, pumpkin spice biscuit bread pudding, and a mini cupcake.

Milestones

you bet your bottom I did.

First Signs

It's always amazing to me that things just come back.

French hydrangea

Peony

Mint

There should be plenty in time for Derby!

Magnolia

March Photos, Round 2

March 5: Smile. See what I did there?

March 6: 5pm. It's still light out, and the trees are starting to bloom. Exciting!

March 7: Something You Wore. Beloved boots. To Mumford & Sons at the Ryman. Amazing.

The Ryman is my absolute favorite place to see a show. There's not a bad seat in the house, and artists are so humbled and reverent to be playing in such a storied place. One band member said, "We get what it means to be here. We really do." It makes for a really awesome dynamic between the band and the crowd, because it feels like they're just as excited to be there as you are. There's a little magic in those pews, I tell ya. Also, tip of the hat to my youngest sister, who snagged one of the coveted Hatch Show Prints for me--she bought the last three. It will be framed and I think I already have a wall spot picked out. 

March 8: Window. I'll do ya one better.

March 9: Red. Yay Friday!